6 Calif. Hospitals Fined For Health Violations

Six Southern California hospitals have been fined for healthcare violations by state regulators. In one case, an emergency room nurse sexually assaulted a patient at the Chapman Medical Center in Orange.

CALIFORNIA — Six Southern California hospitals have been fined for healthcare violations by state regulators. In one case, an emergency room nurse sexually assaulted a patient at the Chapman Medical Center in Orange.

Chapman was fined $75,000 for a 2010 incident in which a male nurse injected a patient complaining of arm pain with a narcotic painkiller, Fox 5 reports. After injecting the woman, he kissed and fondled her, and exposed himself. The nurse was immediately suspended.

UC San Diego Medical was also fined $75,000 for failing to provide “considerate and respectful care” to a woman who refused to leave the emergency room. Hospital security escorted her to a taxi, which she would not enter. Hospital staff then carried her, face down, to the sidewalk, where she lay prone. When she was turned over, it was discovered that her lips were blue and CPR had to be performed.

USC’s Keck Hospital, the Motion Picture & Television Hospital, Kaiser Foundation and Southwest Healthcare System were also fined.